Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, silver (Patrick Picot Wrecks of the “Flower of Olrig” and the “James” on the 31st. March 1887.) in embossed case of issue, minor edge bruise, nearly extremely fine £500-600

Patrick Picot, boatman of H.M. Coast Guard at Scrabster, near Thurso, was awarded the Board of Trade’s Silver Medal for Gallantry for his praiseworthy service in rescuing the crews of the wrecks of the schooners Flower of Olrig and James, both of Wick, in Murkle Bay on 31 March 1887. A fearful storm raged off Thurso and the schooners were driven ashore. Both had been bound for Castlehill Harbour, the former laden with coal and the latter with manure, and were on their way from Scrabster when they were overtaken by the gale. As soon as the perilous condition of he schooners was observed the Rocket Life Saving Apparatus was speedily conveyed to Murkle Bay, from where the crews, ten in number of both vessels, were safely landed. Owing to the terrible strength of the wind this was a work of great difficulty, and four rockets had in each case to be fired before communication with the vessels could be established. Picot repeatedly went into the surf at the risk of his life to keep the Rocket Life Saving Apparatus lines clear of the rocks, and thus enabled the crews of both vessels to all be brought safely to land by means of the apparatus.